Fellowship of Fantasy: Reader Reviews

Rating: PGReason for choice of rating:Innuendo and non-graphic bedroom/dressing scenes

The Review:Having previously been introduced to Janeen Ippolito’s writing in her short story, “Superhero Publicist”, in the “Hall of Heroes” anthology, I jumped at the opportunity to request and receive a free copy of “Lawless: the Ironfire Legacy” for the purposes of a review.

The characters really brought this book to life for me. The tangled weave of Kesia’s past and the challenges she faced drew me into the world of Sekastra. I loved the bond between Kesia and Zephryn, but, in the beginning, I also secretly rooted for the tide to turn in favor of Captain Windkeeper. I was torn between which of the two suitors I favored more for her.

While the romantic triangle makes for some interesting situations and dialogue, romance is not the focus of this story. The real source of conflict is a long-time war between two cultures that had once worked together. Twists and turns paired with excellent world building, Lawless is an engaging story filled with tension and intrigue.

I look forward to reading more of Janeen Ippolito’s skillfully woven and wonderfully inventive tales in the future.

Rating: PGReason for choice of rating:Off-Screen Murders, some mild violence

The Review:I had sort of given up on cozy mysteries because I find they are usually very light on the mystery. A lot of times they are solved almost by coincidence and the characters spend more time worried about recipes or shoes or flirting with love interests than actually solving anything. I'm not sure if this is the norm, or if I just picked out a bad batch to start with, but after three that fit this pattern of "MC goes on dates and eats food then at the end is handed the answer without doing any legitimate crime solving," I decided the genre wasn't for me. However, I did have faith in both K. M. Carroll as a writer (due to her YA Paranormal series which I enjoy), and I'm a real sucker for anything dragon, so I had to try this. I wasn't disappointed. This is a sweet, satisfying dish of murder and moderate mayhem with a character who actually looks for clues ... and yeah, she also eats food and makes ice cream (doesn't really go on dates, but that's probably coming). Definitely worth the read if you like a gentle mystery with some fantastic elements. The only thing that struck me as a little odd was the fact that everyone in this very familiar world is okay with their being dragons. I'm used to the magical beings hiding so the average person doesn't know they exist (though in fairness, if your magical being is as big as a dragon, hiding would be pretty dang hard), so it was kind of a surprise when the dragons and drakes were just out and proud ... yet the world was basically ours. I'd think having actual dragons would change history enough that the world would be slightly different (how does warfare go down in a world with dragons? Do dragon/drake issues affect politics? Are dragons all rich and powerful because humans are afraid of them or have humans just adapted?) That actually could all be explored/touched on in later books (and would probably be out of place in this genre), but it did make me want to read THAT book later.

Rating:PGReason for choice of rating:Kidnapping; Death threats; Murder; Forced marriage (nothing is graphic or intense but a fair number of "bad" things happen to people)

The Review:Elizibeth falls for a mysterious young man George but can he really be a mythical creature? Magic isn't for real, is it? And what is Elizibeth to do about Nathan Throckmorten who seems determined to pursue her no matter how many times she tries to politely say she isn't interested?

This story is a lovely regency romance story but it also has some mythical creatures adding a fantastical element, plenty of suspense as the reader is never sure exactly what is happening to the various characters (have they been injured? are they still alive? who can be believed?), and some truly dastardly villains. At one point I thought the romance was just going to become a typical "he loves someone else, woe is me" type thing but that only lasted about one page and was when you needed to hang onto your hat because things really took off!

Don't miss this wonderful story!

Oh yes, there are even some dragons!

Ideal Audience:This story is for readers looking for a clean romance story with lots of fantasy elements woven into the story and plenty of suspense but knowing that love wins out in the end.

Did you have a favorite character or least favorite character?George made a very dashing leading man although I also liked Tristan and Elizibeth's brother James. James had a couple of very touching lines particularly near the end of the book.

What mood did this book leave you in?Satisfied with my Happily Ever After ending

Rating: PGReason for choice of rating:Typical super hero typo stuff with fights, eminent danger, injuries but no graphic details. Some deaths but no gory details.

The Review:Well written story about a young man just completing eighth grade who has to learn how to deal with his newly discovered special abilities. He also has to figure out why he has these powers and who he can trust.

Lots of action and good supporting characters keep this story interesting and moving along. As an adult reader of this story, I appreciate that the parents are not doofuses and get involved (even though they are not happy with everything that has taken place prior to the time they become informed). So many stories leave everything up to the kids - regardless of whether that is realistic or wise.

Rating: PGReason for choice of rating:Marking this PG due to a number of fights/attacks in this story with many "bad guys" getting killed. The injuries/deaths that occur are not graphically described.

The Review:I didn't enjoy this story as much as I thought I would based on the other stories I have read by the author. I think this was primarily due to personal taste though because the story was not badly written.

Finding out that Victoria's Uncle Jack had taken out a hit on his sister, Victoria's mother, on page 2 of the story didn't bode well for the remaining story since I am personally bothered by stories where family members are out to get each other (the reason I have never liked Lion King). I don't like zombies and avoid zombie stories so having zombies as the featured monsters in "Awakening" was an unpleasant surprise. I didn't realize that 'undead' in the story description meant zombies. Despite all the zombies and other bad guys, it seemed that Victoria went from one danger to the next with very little consequence until the very end of the story making it hard for me to get concerned about her or the other characters. I found the pattern of changing the speaker for every chapter to be a little jarring. I had to figure out who was speaking with each new chapter and then get back into the story.

A number of the characters in the story were interesting. Victoria was funny in the first chapter as she described all the bad things she had been through. I can just imagine a teenager saying these lines that open the book: "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that my life has gone the way it has. Some people are just doomed." I was looking forward to hearing more from Victoria but the book seemed to turn primarily to action in subsequent chapters and I didn't get to hear more of her wittiness. Katrina and Tellen were good friends to Victoria and they were always watching out for her to keep her safe. Shadow was also very interesting. Is he a good guy, a bad guy, hard to say but intriguing.

While I didn't love this story, I would still encourage others to read it. If you don't have the same personal issues with zombies and crazy, evil relatives that I do, you will probably enjoy the story.

Ideal Audience:Those who like zombies and non-stop danger

What mood did this book leave you in?Disappointed - I had expected to really like this story but that did not turn out to be the case

Title and Author:King's Warrior by Jenelle Leanne SchmidtName of Reviewer:Jolyn SafronRating:PGReason for choice of rating:A lot of people are killed in the book (no graphic details) between attacks on the towns and battle scenes.

The Review:When I started this story, I thought it was about Princess Kamarie but it turned out to be so much more! Many interesting characters including dragons and other mythical creatures. Lots of action including both large and small battles (none of which are graphically described but you still feel very engaged with the participants) but the friendships are the best part. Characters moving from simply travel companions to friends willing to fight and die for each other. Can't forget some interesting secrets revealed along the way either. All in all, a very satisfying tale and I look forward to more adventures with these characters in the next book.

Ideal Audience:Good for those who love dragons (although these dragons aren't loveable); enjoy epic battles between the strong and the weak where the weak refuse to give up; and want to really connect with the characters in a story.

Did you have a favorite character or least favorite character?I like most all of the characters but I think Oraeyn was my favorite. He isn't intimidated by Princess Kamarie but takes his job of protecting her very seriously. He also doesn't give in to fear when it is time to actually put his training to the battle test.

Rating: PG-13Reason for choice of rating:Content wise, there is a bit of high level flirting, some intense moments (basically they get the worst out of the way right off the bat as the character endures a catastrophic car accident within the first chapter ... but other traumatic incidents are peppered within) and there is some incidental nudity (characters shift between worlds, arriving without clothes) but more on the awkward side than anything else. Probably for me this would be a PG13 but it depends on a young reader's sensitivities.

The Review:This feels like it will be almost impossible for me to review coherently because this book has a LOT going on. Seriously, a lot a lot. It provides an extremely elaborate world, backed up by our own world but across two continents, with multiple fantasy races (humanoid and non-humanoid) with their own factions ... and a breathless busy style with a rambunctiously voiced heroine who quips constantly.I really enjoyed it.

Ideal Audience:Teen readers who like a little bit of edge but in a safe way.

Books and movies you would compare this to:Good Eragon, like what Eragon could've been.

Reviews by Readers

This blog features reviews of Fellowship of Fantasy titles submitted by readers.All reviews are the opinion of the reviewer, not necessarily of the Fellowship of the Fantasy's administrators or authors.Likewise content ratings applied to the books are at the discretion of that particular reader/reviewer. What may be a G for one may be PG for another.